After Jordan, Emirates also furious with Netanyahu Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not only managed to get into a diplomatic row with Jordan, he also succeeded in angering the Emiratis. Israel
Iran operating new advanced centrifuges, nuclear watchdog finds According to an International Atomic Energy Agency report, Iran is now using IR-4 centrifuges to enrich uranium in violation of the nuclear accord. Iran
Lawsuit filed to close pro-Kurdish party after lawmaker stripped of parliamentary seat Omer Faruk Gergerlioglu, a pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party deputy known to focus on human rights abuses, was stripped of his parliament seat and a lawsuit was filed to close the party March 17. Turkey
Netanyahu courts Arab voters as 'Abu Yair' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has adopted a new strategy for the Arab public: cynically rebranding himself as "Abu Yair." Israel
Cairo breathes sigh of relief as Saudi oil exports resume through Bab el-Mandeb Saudi Energy Minister Khalid Falih announced that his country resumed oil exports via the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, amid Egyptian fears that a decrease in traffic in the popular shipping corridor could impact Suez Canal revenues. Saudi Arabia
Ankara plans road network to connect Syria with southern Turkey The Turkish government is working with local councils in Syria's Euphrates Shield area to build and improve a road network to connect the area's cities with southern Turkey. Syria
Mainstream Turkish media turn blind eye to country’s worst currency crisis Although Turkey is suffering one of the worst currency crises in its history, no single mainstream Turkish media outlet has covered the development. Turkey
UN reaches out to Ankara as Assad coils around Idlib The United Nations will reportedly ask Turkey to keep its borders open to millions more Syrian civilians fleeing an expected regime offensive on Idlib. Syria
Iranian media stunned by Iraqi PM's compliance with US sanctions Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi's decision to cooperate with US sanctions has surprised a number of analysts and media in Iran. Iraq
Israeli bill aims to crack down on those hiring prostitutes Politicians from both right and left supported the bill of Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked to fine those who hire prostitutes. Israel
Addressing Jewish refugees' issue vital part of Mideast peace For years, the Arab world and Israeli politicians have ignored the pain and rights of Jews expelled from Arab countries out of neglect or worry that it would muddy the debate on Palestinian refugees. Palestine
Israel’s Nationality Law lays ground for West Bank annexation The recently adopted Nationality Law could indicate that the Netanyahu government is preparing to annex the West Bank. Palestine
Are Israel, Hamas en route to war or an agreement? Hamas' leadership seems unaware of or simply does not care that its actions to defend what it views as the honor of the movement threaten a pending cease-fire deal with Israel and make a full-blown humanitarian crisis in Gaza more likely. Palestine
Palestinian police patrol Hebron in rare sight for locals Israel recently allowed Palestinian security forces to deploy in Hebron's old town in a show of control and cooperation, but it has not committed to any ongoing coordination for future patrols. Palestine
Firing of Palestinian prisoner affairs minister sparks anger In an interview with Al-Monitor, Issa Qaraqe, former minister of prisoner affairs, discussed his dismissal and replacement as various Palestinian factions condemned the move by President Mahmoud Abbas given Qaraqe's widely respected efforts on behalf of prisoners. Palestine
Cairo, Rome carefully repair relations two years after researcher's murder The Italian foreign minister’s recent visit to Egypt revived diplomatic relations between Cairo and Rome following the long, heated dispute over the slaying of Italian postgraduate student Giulio Regeni. Egypt
